ICL staff share their leadership resolutions for 2020!
Dianne Russell, President
“The best is the enemy of the good.” –Voltaire
In ICL’s work with collaborations and partnerships, we often encourage groups to identify actions and steps as “experiments” to try. Rather than struggling to figure out the very best next collective action, we encourage leaders to pick something and try it, see how it works, and then adapt or adjust or start over based on what is learned.
Over the next year, rather than one big resolution for the year, I plan to try an experiment each month that stretches my leadership capacity. I will pick experiments that challenge or build my leadership creativity, flexibility and focus. My January experiment will be to learn and try two or three new Liberating Structures in meetings or conversations that I lead.
Sarah Clark, Senior Associate
Having seen how a simple introduction can help create connections among those working to create change, I’m thinking about the ways creating these bridges leads to unexpected places.
My resolution is to more intentionally and regularly make connections and introductions – between different people, organizations and networks – that I anticipate will help weave a stronger fabric of those working towards a healthy earth and more just communities.
Joy Jackson, Senior Associate
As I start this new year, I find myself in the wonderful position of beginning a new role with ICL. With so many exciting new opportunities and responsibilities in front of me, I am creating a resolution that doubles as an intention for the year. For 2020 I resolve to ground myself in the spirit of resilience.
Resilience is an inherent part of success and is especially helpful to be mindful of when embarking on something new – be it sticking with a resolution, starting a new job or working on a collaborative project. As Thomas Edison said, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
Peter Lane, ICL Consultant
I recommit to the Gestalt principle of making a difference through my presence with coaching clients and groups.
I will be honorable by aligning my values and beliefs with my behavior and standing for something; be an effective agent of change by cultivating conditions for others to experiment with new behavior and help them complete work and complete closure on unfinished business; and be curious by showing genuine interest in others and staying in a space of wonderment of the world and the nature of human relationships. (Adapted from The NTL Handbook of Organizational Development and Change.)
Candice Meade, Program and Administrative Coordinator
Self-care will be my aim in 2020. In both personal and professional realms, dedication to our health (mental, emotional, physical) is vital. This year, I am committed to improving my overall health. I will strive for a peaceful, thoughtful mind and an active, well-nourished body.
“Health is the first muse, comprising the magical benefits of air, landscape, and bodily exercise on the mind.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nicely shared! I don’t know where I came across it, but I recall once the distinction being made between resolutions and intentions. Intentions actually sounds less committed than resolutions, but at the time I liked the distinction. Anyway, I’m intending to show courage, to be prepared to fail rather than waiting to have all of the answers and having it all lined up in advance. That will help me move things ahead at a faster pace by trusting and inviting others into co-creating solutions. Thanks for the nudge in setting and shares these intentions, resolutions, aspirations…